Brady Collins
The Novavax vaccine is a traditional protein-based vaccine that uses a technology that has been used in other vaccines for a long time. It is the only non-mRNA updated COVID vaccine available in the US. Unlike the other vaccines, Novavax directly injects a version of the spike protein, along with another ingredient that stimulates the immune system, into the body, leading to the production of antibodies and T-cells. It is simpler to make than some of the other vaccines and can be stored in a refrigerator, making it easier to distribute.
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What You'll Learn
Novavax is a traditional vaccine
The Novavax vaccine is a traditional vaccine compared to the other COVID-19 vaccines. It relies on a traditional virus-blocking technology that has been used against other diseases. The technology used in the Novavax vaccine has been used in vaccines to prevent conditions such as shingles, human papillomavirus (HPV), and DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis), among others.
Novavax is a protein-based vaccine, a type of vaccine that has been widely used for decades. Some other familiar protein-based vaccines include those that protect against HPV, hepatitis B, and shingles. The Novavax vaccine contains a synthetic SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and Matrix-M adjuvant, an ingredient used to create a stronger immune response.
Novavax is the only non-mRNA COVID vaccine available in the US. It is a protein adjuvant that had a 90% efficacy in its clinical trial, performing almost as well as the mRNA vaccines in their early trials. The Novavax vaccine is simpler to make than some other vaccines and can be stored in a refrigerator, making it easier to distribute.
Novavax is a time-tested approach to vaccination. It is a two-dose vaccine, with shots given three to eight weeks apart, and is approved for people 12 years and older. It has been found to be safe and well-tolerated, with the most commonly reported side effects being pain, tenderness, redness, and swelling at the injection site.
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It is the only non-mRNA vaccine in the US
The Novavax vaccine is the only non-mRNA COVID vaccine available in the US. It is a protein subunit vaccine, which means it uses a protein to alert the immune system to recognise and fight the COVID-19 virus. In this case, the protein is a harmless piece of the COVID-19 spike protein.
The Novavax vaccine is a traditional vaccine, and its technology has been used in vaccines for other conditions, such as shingles, human papillomavirus, hepatitis B, and DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis). This type of vaccine has been widely used for decades and is a familiar method for health professionals.
The Novavax vaccine is different from the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, which use a newer mechanism involving messenger RNA. The Novavax vaccine does not carry instructions for making a SARS-CoV-2 protein; instead, it directly delivers a version of the viral spike protein. This is formulated as a nanoparticle, which cannot cause disease, along with an adjuvant, an ingredient used to create a stronger immune response.
The Novavax vaccine is a safe and effective option for those eligible to receive it. It is important to note that the vaccine has undergone intense safety testing and is authorised for use in the US. The FDA granted full approval for the Novavax vaccine in May 2025, and it is available for specific age groups and those with certain health conditions.
The Novavax vaccine is an appealing option for those who are hesitant about mRNA vaccines or those who may have allergic reactions to them. It is also simpler to make and easier to distribute than some other vaccines due to its refrigeration storage requirements.
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It is a protein subunit vaccine
The Novavax vaccine is a protein subunit vaccine, which means it uses a protein to alert the immune system to recognise and combat the COVID-19 virus. In this case, the protein is a harmless version of the COVID-19 spike protein. This spike protein is formulated as a nanoparticle, which cannot cause disease.
The Novavax vaccine takes a different approach to other vaccines. While other vaccines trick the body's cells into creating parts of the virus that trigger the immune system, Novavax directly delivers the spike protein. This spike protein is combined with an adjuvant, a substance that boosts the immune response. The adjuvant in the Novavax vaccine is Matrix-M.
The Novavax vaccine uses a traditional virus-blocking technology that has been used for decades in vaccines for influenza, hepatitis B, HPV, shingles, and DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis). This traditional approach may appeal to those who are reluctant to use the newer mRNA vaccine technology.
The Novavax vaccine is also simpler to make and easier to distribute than some other vaccines because it can be stored in a standard refrigerator.
Protein subunit vaccines have been shown to offer durable protection against various pathogens, including hepatitis B and shingles, as well as some respiratory ailments.
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It is easier to distribute
The Novavax vaccine is a traditional vaccine compared to other vaccines. It is a protein subunit vaccine, which means it uses a protein to alert the immune system to recognise and combat the actual COVID-19 virus. This approach has been used for decades in vaccines for influenza, hepatitis B, and HPV. Novavax is also the only non-mRNA updated COVID vaccine available in the US.
Novavax is simpler to produce than other vaccines, and it can be kept in a standard refrigerator, making it easier to distribute. This is in contrast to other vaccines, which often require freezing temperatures for storage and transportation. This ease of distribution is a significant advantage, especially in areas with limited access to specialised medical equipment and facilities.
The Novavax vaccine's familiar technology and ease of distribution make it an attractive option for those who are hesitant about the newer mRNA vaccines. It offers an alternative for people who may have allergic reactions to mRNA vaccines or those who prefer a more traditional vaccine approach.
Novavax's accessibility and storage advantages are particularly beneficial for global vaccination campaigns, where equitable access to vaccines is crucial. Its distribution and storage do not require the same level of specialised infrastructure as some other vaccines, making it a valuable tool in the fight against COVID-19 on a global scale.
However, it is important to note that the Novavax vaccine is not a replacement for other vaccines. While it offers an alternative for those hesitant about mRNA vaccines, it is essential to recognise that all approved vaccines, including Novavax, have been rigorously tested and are safe and effective at preventing severe disease, hospitalisation, and death from COVID-19.
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Novavax is safe and effective
The Novavax vaccine is safe and effective. It is a traditional vaccine that has been used before in vaccines to prevent conditions like shingles, human papillomavirus, and DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis). Novavax uses a technology that has been used for decades in vaccines for influenza, hepatitis B, and HPV.
The Novavax vaccine is a protein subunit vaccine, meaning it uses a protein to alert the immune system to recognize and fight the COVID-19 virus. It contains a synthetic SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and Matrix-M adjuvant, an ingredient used to create a stronger immune response. This approach is similar to that of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which is a viral vector vaccine that uses a harmless cold virus to deliver spike-making instructions.
Novavax is safe, having undergone the same intense safety testing process as any other vaccine. While myocarditis, a rare form of inflammation of the heart muscle, occurred in a handful of male clinical trial participants, Novavax states that there is insufficient evidence to establish a causal relationship between the vaccine and the condition. The most commonly reported side effects by vaccine recipients in the clinical trial were pain, tenderness, redness, and swelling at the injection site, as well as fatigue, muscle pain, headache, joint pain, nausea/vomiting, and fever.
Novavax is also effective, with a 90% efficacy in its clinical trial, performing almost as well as mRNA vaccines. It has been found to be 90.4% effective in preventing mild, moderate, or severe COVID-19, according to the FDA. In a subgroup of trial participants 65 or older, the vaccine was 78.6% effective in preventing COVID-19, although this clinical trial was conducted before the emergence of the Delta and Omicron variants.
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Frequently asked questions
Unlike the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, which use messenger RNA to instruct cells to create a protein that the immune system can recognise, Novavax is a protein subunit vaccine. This means it uses a protein to alert the immune system to recognise and fight back against COVID-19. It also includes an adjuvant, a substance that boosts the level of immune response.
The Novavax vaccine is similar to traditional vaccines that have been used for decades to prevent conditions such as shingles, human papillomavirus, hepatitis B, and DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis).
Novavax can be stored in standard refrigeration, making it easier to distribute. It is also a good option for people who are reluctant to use the newer mRNA vaccine technology or may have an allergic reaction to mRNA vaccines.
